Who: Caroline and Wanda What: Match up Where: Target When: Tuesday sometime Status: Closed; Completed Gdoc Rating: Low
Through her years in Madison Valley, Wanda spent time living a number of different lives thanks to dome shenanigans. The week spent as a witch living in a cottage in the woods was probably one of the most restful she’d ever had. She was glad to be back to her regular life, to have her daughter, her brother, and everyone else who was important, but unlike a lot of times, she had no issues with the aftermath of this event.
It was hard for her to believe that school was starting soon and she needed to get Judith some new clothes. The girl was growing like a weed and it seemed like nothing from last school year still fit. As she watched another child around the same age throwing a tantrum that their parent wouldn’t buy something specific, Wanda was grateful that she’d opted to shop alone. It was worth the risk of having to return things if they didn’t fit correctly.
* Caroline was still coming to terms with her stint in the Renaissance era. Granted, it hadn’t been the worst. Lizzie was still her daughter and they ran a seamstress business together. Being attacked by witches was definitely something she didn’t want a repeat of even if Geralt had looked incredible saving them. Of course, in that time period, Caroline also found herself rather shy around him. Needless to say? Caroline was glad to be back to her modern self.
While the twins were more than capable of buying their own clothes, Caroline couldn’t help, but glance over the clothing racks all the same. Once upon a time, she would have been all over these racks in search of the perfect outfit for her girls, but that time was long gone unfortunately. And, hearing that one child throw a tantrum? Well, part of Caroline was relieved it was to an extent. That was probably a part of that age she would never miss.
“I miss buying clothes for my girls, but the tantrums? I can’t say I miss those,” Caroline commented quietly to a brunette shopping nearby.
*
“I am very glad I left my daughter with her uncle,” Wanda admitted, keeping her voice low so the unfortunate parent wouldn’t overhear. “She’s usually well behaved, though her older brother and his girlfriend were recently sent home and she’s still having some adjustment issues.” It probably hadn’t helped that shortly after losing Carl and Dawn, they spent a week living completely different lives.
Spotting a striped shirt with a kitten on the front, she looked to see if they had it in Judith’s size. “How old are your girls?”
* At the words, the blond frowned. She couldn’t blame the woman’s daughter for having trouble dealing with the loss of those she loved. Caroline was older and had lost plenty in her life, but that didn’t make it easier. Losing Stan had been a huge blow for Caroline, but Geralt had helped her slowly make her way back from the dark place she’d been in. Obviously, having Lizze was the biggest force in her pulling herself together.
“Aw. I’m sorry she lost them,” Caroline offered quietly. “I lost someone I’d been dating for a while here and it’s still difficult sometimes.” Especially when she glimpsed that llama he’d given her at the fair. Oh Stan.
The blond eyed some of the clothing choices for a distraction. “Both of mine are in their late teens,” Caroline replied. “I miss the days when they might enjoy a cute kitten shirt like that. How old is your daughter?”
*
Loss was an unfortunate fact of life in Madison Valley and one that no one seemed immune to. “Judith is six. Nearly seven,” Wanda said. “I feel it is only a few more years I’ll get to do this.” If the things she read and saw on television about teenagers were to be believed, at least.
“And I’m sorry. It seems there is too much loss here,” she said. “I was married for a few years and he was sent home nearly three years ago. It took me a while to decide to put myself out there again.” Things were going well with Murphy though and they were both making tentative steps forward in their relationship. The cruise had accelerated that in a lot of ways.
* Caroline offered a reassuring smile. “You at least have maybe three years left before she starts getting picky about her clothes. I’d say enjoy every minute of it.” Oh Caroline loved Lizzie and Josie regardless of age, but she did miss the days when she could pick out cute clothes for them.
The vampire nodded. “I can understand that. It’s hard when you know this place can snatch people away any second, but I’m glad to hear you put yourself out there again.” Her relationship with Geralt had started as a hookup, but it kind of evolved from there into something Caroline never saw coming. She knew he could be tough, but there was a soft, protective side to him and Caroline felt lucky enough to be able to witness it.
*
Wanda nodded. “I am doing my best to appreciate it. Even in her difficult moments.” Luckily, Judith didn’t have too many of those.
“I’m Wanda,” she added, realizing suddenly that she hadn’t introduced herself to this woman. “I know you’ve been here quite some time, but I don’t think we’ve actually spoken.” Maybe in passing on the network. Even as small as Madison Valley was, with the way people came and went, she always managed to encounter people she didn’t know yet.
*
“I completely understand going through those difficult moments too.” And still going through them, but both her daughters had grown up so much. Changed. Matured. Become strong women. Caroline honestly couldn’t be prouder of the twins.
At the introduction, Caroline offered a smile. “Caroline. It’s nice to meet you, Wanda.” It was true that they could have chatted on the network at some point, but it was hard to know for sure. After all, this place could be a revolving door sometimes as the week following the cruise had shown them unfortunately.
*
“Likewise,” Wanda said. It was nice to meet other people who understood life in this crazy town and she would make sure to reach out to the other woman again in the future. “Though I suppose I ought to finish my shopping and let you get back to yours. I don’t want to take advantage of my brother’s kindness for too long or he may not be willing to keep her again.”
That was said with a laugh because Pietro and his niece had a very close relationship.
* Caroline laughed in return. “Yes, I would not want to be the reason that relationship is in jeopardy. It was nice chatting with you Wanda. Perhaps we can do it again sometime.”
The blond offered a wave and headed towards the women’s clothing section in search of something for herself.